Module Identifier: New Calvinism and Cessationism - George Gunn.gbk.twm

“Cessationism” is an important topic, but, unfortunately, a negative one. Too often, it seems, we are forced to define our theological position in terms of what we’re against. And, I suppose that’s simply because we start out with the positive affirmation that we believe everything that’s in the Bible, but then we respond when someone teaches something false. When that happens, we are forced to reject the false doctrine, and we end up being against something. I think that sometimes people get the impression that we are against this, against that, and against something else. We are frequently viewed as simply being negative. I’d like to begin by saying that the position known as “Cessationism” can be stated positively as an affirmation of Sola Scriptura – The Bible as a complete canon, and the Bible alone, is the authoritative, inspired, inerrant Word of God. Sola Scriptura was not only an important watch-cry of the Reformation, it was clearly the position taught by both Christ and the Apostles. The belief in the continuation of the gifts of prophecy, miracles and tongues poses a serious threat to Sola Scriptura. Opposition to these things is not based on a fear of the Holy Spirit, as some would charge. Rather, such opposition is based on a desire to honor and respect the authority of the Word of God, as it has been given to us in the sixty-six Books of the canonical Scriptures.